Page 10 of Untamed Protector

Gabriel listens intently to his earpiece, his eyes fixated on the bar area.

“Is he coming from the left?” I hear him asking his team.

He continues to hold my arm but instinctively pulls me closer, our bodies almost pressed together. Lucas walks over to us from the bar. I don’t have time to pull myself away from Gabriel, and I’m not all that sure I want to.

I can tell Lucas is pissed off as he stops next to us. “Hello, you. Weren’t we supposed to meet at the bar? I’ve been looking for you for half an hour. Didn’t you see my texts?”

“I was just taking a tour of the Casino. I’ve always wanted to see it,” I say, turning to Gabriel behind me. I brush his hand from my arm, holding it for a second longer than I should. Our fingers touch and intertwine, sending a jolt through me.

As I move next to Lucas, I feel his hand clamp down on my waist in a possessive grip. Huh, the alpha male in him woke up. But then he talks. And just like that, the alpha male is gone.

“A private tour with Gabriel, I guess. Just so you know, he always gives private tours. The late-night ones are his specialty.”

Gabriel’s jaw clenches as he steps toward Lucas, staring him down. He leans in, his voice a low growl as his hand grips Lucas’s arm. Lucas winces, yanks his arm away, and steps back, dragging me along. I lose my balance for a second, and Gabriel’s hand shouts out to catch me, but Lucas cuts him off, putting his hand on my arm.

“Let’s just play the role we came here to play. Okay, darling? We’re sponsoring this thing, aren’t we? Let’s throw in some money for the hospital.”

Lucas squeezes my arm, forcing me to follow him. I step beside him, my head snapping back for a fleeting glance at Gabriel. We had a moment earlier. Was that just my imagination? I wish he could come with us. I feel better when he’s around, but it clearly bugs Lucas.

A jealous Lucas, willing to push me away… that won’t help my plan. Sorry, Gabriel, I wish things were different. But as I look back, I see him with Anita plastered against him, looking anything but sad. She must’ve sneaked in as I was walking away with Lucas. My breath hitches as I see her hand resting casually on Gabriel’s arm and her body leaning into him with practiced ease.

Yeah, I guess he’s one of them. And I’m back to being the naïve, small-town girl. Lucas was right. This is just a role. Tonight, I’m his date at a fabulous ball, and I meet a mysterious, irresistible stranger. But tomorrow, this fairy tale will be gone. Time to wake up, Lexi. I have to keep close to Lucas, earn his trust, and find the proof I need. One of them did it. I just need to find out who.

3

Gabriel

“Isee you’re still fawning over my father’s little protégée.” Anita shows up next to me as soon as Lexi walks away, dragged by Lucas. It felt as if she didn’t want to leave my side. And when Lexi looked back at me, the last thing she saw was Anita clinging to me. Shit.

“I’m not sure where you’re going with that, Anita. Peter’s always been generous to the community. I’m on duty tonight, so looking after the guests here comes with the job.”

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it. I was referring to that peasant girl who left with Lucas. You know, she’s Daddy’s latest obsession. Don’t even think about making your move on her. He sends his car every morning to pick her up. She lives with some journalist skank, a childhood friend. Why do you think Lucas is paying attention to her? It’s because Dad asked him to.”

“Watch your mouth, Anita. One day, you might bite your tongue and poison yourself with your venom.”

“Oh my, it seems like I hit a nerve! Please don’t tell me you fell for that small-town washed-up girl. Trust me, handsome, she doesn’t need saving. That little lamb is in excellent hands.”

“That was uncalled for, Anita. I’d be more careful if I were you. Someone might hear and believe you, and you’ll end up hurting more people, including your family.”

“Don’t worry, darling. My family can handle things. It’s time for me to look after myself. And if you weren’t so damn arrogant, you’d see what I see.”

“I see Lucas looking high as a kite and about to make a mess of himself.”

“That’s the only truth you’ve said tonight. Lucas sure knows how to have fun; I’ll give him that. He’s dying to be in the spotlight, representing Daddy’s Grain Inc. empire at the fanciest charity of the year.”

I hear Dominic in my earpiece, “Gabriel, I think you need to get over here. I don’t trust Lucas next to Lexi. Some shit is about to go down. Oh, and by the way, I heard everything you guys talked about. You didn’t switch your comms to private.”

“You could’ve warned me.”

“What would be the fun of that? You’re falling for her, my boy. Be careful. Those green eyes will get you in trouble.”

“She’s not a threat. In fact, she’s the one who’s in danger.”

“Really? I want to hear all about it, but I need to get the show started. Are you close? I feel like Lucas is gunning for an Oscar nomination.”

“I’m on it. Good luck, raise those millions we need.”

Dominic is a born entertainer. He knows how to get people to open their wallets. He knows their secrets and their weaknesses. While I, for the third time tonight, have to step in for Lexi. That story is just beginning, and I’ll learn more tomorrow. Until then, she needs to be safe.

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